Friends of the Koala are proud to share an exciting update in our ongoing work with the Chlamydia vaccine research trials with Professor Peter Timms, Dr Nina Pollak and Dr Samuel Phillips from the University of Sunshine Coast.
This week, our team welcomed 100 doses of Koala Chlamydia Vaccine, the world’s first approved koala Chlamydia vaccine, delivered to the Northern Rivers Koala Hospital. The delivery marks another significant step in a long-term partnership with researchers from the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC), whose groundbreaking work is transforming the future of koala conservation.
The development of the vaccine, led by Professor Peter Timms and his team, including Dr Nina Pollak and Dr Samuel Phillips from the University of the Sunshine Coast’s Centre for Bioinnovation, uses bio-inspired approaches to tackle major health and environmental challenges. You can read more about the vaccine’s development in UniSC’s official news release: World-first UniSC Koala Vaccine Approved to Fight Deadly Disease.
Since the project began, approximately 500 wild koalas have been vaccinated through wildlife hospitals, including here at Friends of the Koala and most within just the past three years.
Why the Vaccine Matters
Chlamydia is a devastating disease in koalas, causing blindness, infertility, and sometimes death. Vaccination offers real hope to protect current and future generations of koalas, helping them recover and thrive in the wild.
Projects like this demonstrate the importance of science-led conservation. Vaccination programs have already proven their power to protect other threatened species, for example, the California condor, which was safeguarded from avian influenza through vaccination. KlaVax may offer similar long-term benefits for Australia’s iconic koalas.
Continuing the Work and the Challenges Ahead
Despite its success, the koala vaccination program faces growing challenges. Misinformation, funding cuts, and shifting political priorities threaten to slow or halt progress. With vaccine development typically taking 3–6 years, consistent community and financial support are vital to maintain momentum. It goes without saying that we here at Friends of the Koala are committed to supporting vaccination efforts and will do our bit to continue to raise awareness of the need for it.
How You Can Help
Every donation helps us continue protecting and treating koalas through vital research and care programs like KlaVax. Learn more and support our vaccination efforts here:
Vaccinate a Koala against Chlamydia: Save a Koala Today
For more on our collaboration with UniSC and updates from the field, visit our project page: Ruthven – UniSC Vaccination Project and Ruthven–UniSC Vaccination Project Update aswell as Friends of the Koala Research.
Funders and Partners:
Ruthven UniSC vaccination project – this project has been supported by the NSW Government under the NSW Koala Strategy.